The lights and sparkle of holiday decorations have been packed away but the fresh color of spring is still weeks away, although days are slowly but surely lengthening.  Don’t despair – there are ways to add a spark of color to your home and they don’t require painting!

8 Colorful Room Additions

Photo countryliving.com

1.  Textiles – Consider textiles as art.  Display quilts on the walls – rotate them if you have several that you love.  They are large, colorful and add warmth to any room.  Even clothing can be art – hang a kimono, a pareo or a batik sarong.  Kilim rugs are also fabulous on the walls.  You can also simply stretch pieces of fabric over stretcher bars or insert a vintage scarf or doily into a frame – an easy way to add a splash of color to walls without painting.

Photo homedecorcenter.com

2.  Rugs – Lay a rug colorful rug on the floor.  This works whether your floors are wood, tile, vinyl or even wall-to-wall carpeting– layer the floor with texture and color – a great treat for your eyes and your toes. Read about “Using Area Rugs” here.

Photo potterybarn.com

3.  Throws – Add warmth, color and increase the cuddle factor of any room with cozy throws.  Drape them over the back of the sofa or arms of the chairs.

Photo worldmarket.com

4.  Tablecloths and runners – Increase your color impact by adding fabric to bare wood or glass tables.  Tablecloths and runners add color and texture to bare wood or glass tables – including dining, sofa and end tables.

Photo amazon.com

5.  Pillows – Toss pillows add big color impact.  Select great prints, stripes or plaids for a mix of color or if the pillows are solid, increase the color quotient with contrasting piping, fringes or tassels.  Read about “Pillow Power” here.

Photo bhg.com

6.  Flowers and Edibles – Flowers provide an easy way to add color in a room but they can get expensive when your garden is not in bloom.  While waiting for spring, try fruits and vegetables as a colorful addition to your table.  Heap limes, lemons, apples or other fruit into clear glass jars or pile them into big textural baskets for a blast of color.  Read about “Fruitful Table Decor” here.

Get special dishes out of the cupboards and display them. They're still available for use when you need them. Photo bhg.com.

7.  Treasures – Pull collections and keepsakes from their storage spots and use them to create interesting vignettes by clustering items by color.  Show off bright pottery, colored glassware and even your kids’ toys!  Read about “Decorating With Collections” here.

Photo marthastewart.com

8.  Hobbies – If you work on hobbies while housebound during the winter, you might be able to use the color of your hobby materials as a bright spot in the room.  For example, if you knit, instead of stashing yarn in a knitting bag, show off skeins in a big open basket.  Keep a landscape or floral jigsaw puzzle in play on a game table or bowls of pretty jewelry making beads in sight.

Share Your Colorful Tips

Have you already used some  of these tricks to add color to your rooms?  What other tips can you share?  Use the comment link below or email your input and photos to solutions@yourdecoratinghotline.com.  Brighten my day by telling me how you brighten your home and make it colorful without painting.

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